26 April 2026

Archived edition

Lithuania

Summary

Lithuania’s poverty risk rate rose to 22.6% last year, while 5.8% of residents lived below the absolute poverty line. The poverty-risk threshold for a person living alone reached 699 euros a month, up 13.5% from a year earlier.

Justice Ministry data released today showed the Social Democrats lost nearly 400 members over six months, the Conservatives about 100, while Nemuno ausra added more than 100. The shifts matter ahead of party congresses and local chapter votes, where membership still shapes influence and candidate selection. President Gitanas Nauseda on Saturday sent parliament a ratification bill to establish a Council of Europe information point for Belarusians in Vilnius. The centre is due to operate from the Martynas Mazvydas National Library, and the government would still need to formalise rent-free use of the space.

In Panevezys, 31-year-old paramedic Mantas Sadauskas is being buried today after his body was found in the district following a search that gripped the region. Police are investigating murder and unlawful detention, and three people have been detained in the case. Defence minister Robertas Kaunas said over the past two days that Lithuania is accelerating purchases of battlefield-tested technology from Ukraine and preparing joint projects. The priority list is better air surveillance, stronger air defence, drones, radar and counter-drone systems.

Lithuanian business representatives warned over the past day of another round of price rises as euro zone annual inflation accelerated to 2.5% in March. That raises the risk that another repricing cycle will reach Lithuanian retailers in the coming weeks.

Strong winds disrupted electricity supply to more than 6,000 households in Lithuania. Economist Žygimantas Mauricas warned that a recession risk could become evident in the next two to three months.

sources: 15min.lt, delfi.lt, lrytas.lt, tv3.lt, lrt.lt

Military base. Interview with Kaunas: is it possible to transfer Ukrainian weapon technology to Lithuania

Defence minister Robertas Kaunas said on 24 March that Lithuania was heading to Ukraine to speed up purchases of battlefield-tested technology and kick off joint projects. He said the focus was on better air surveillance and stronger air defence, with Ukraine’s wartime experience seen as a fast track for drones, radar and counter-drone systems. The push fits into wider Lithuanian efforts to deepen industrial cooperation with Kyiv and move faster on new air-defence buys with partners.

Why it matters

Ukrainian makers gain a new European customer base, while Lithuania’s military gets a faster route to systems that traditional procurement can struggle to deliver on time. If the projects advance, local defence firms could also pick up manufacturing and maintenance work.

sources:delfi.lt

Crime

Mantas Sadauskas laid to rest after brutal murder

Mantas Sadauskas, a 31-year-old paramedic, is being buried in Panevėžys after his body was found on April 21 in the Panevėžys district following a search that gripped the region. Police have opened a murder and unlawful detention probe and detained three people in the case. Family, colleagues and motorcycle riders are attending the farewell and will escort the coffin to the cemetery.

Why it matters

The case has shaken a family with two young children and the Panevėžys emergency medical community, which lost one of its own in a disappearance that ended in death. The murder and unlawful detention probe means the suspects' status and any charges could move quickly in the coming days.

sources:delfi.lt

Society

Poverty among some residents is alarming: indicators the worst in 20 years

Lithuania's poverty risk rate rose to 22.6% in 2025, while 5.8% of residents were below the absolute poverty line, according to figures published in April 2026 by the national statistics agency and LRT. The poverty-risk threshold for a person living alone stood at 699 euros a month, up 13.5% from a year earlier. The numbers are the weakest in two decades, pointing to a widening gap between higher-income households and people on the margins.

Why it matters

People at the bottom feel it first through food, rent and medicine. When more than one in five residents is near the poverty line, municipalities and social services face more pressure to expand benefits, food aid and affordable housing.

sources:lrytas.lt

Politics

LSDP loses nearly 400 members in six months, conservatives 100, 'Nemuno aušra' grows membership

Ministry of Justice data released on April 26 show the Social Democratic Party lost nearly 400 members over the past six months, while the Conservatives shed about 100, even though both remain the country’s biggest parties by membership. At the same time, Nemuno aušra added more than 100 members, as other parties saw their rolls thin through a mix of normal churn and internal change. The numbers will matter ahead of party congresses and local chapter votes, where active membership still shapes influence, nominations and ground-game strength.

Why it matters

Membership still drives local branch strength, candidate selection and campaign capacity. Parties that lose active members end up with fewer people on the ground and a weaker machine for the next election cycle.

sources:lrytas.lt

Society

Belarusian information point will operate at Martynas Mažvydas Library in Vilnius

President Gitanas Nausėda on April 26 sent Parliament a ratification bill for a Council of Europe information point for Belarusian people in Vilnius. The site is set to be housed in the Martynas Mažvydas National Library. The Foreign Ministry says the point will explain the Council of Europe’s statute, conventions, values and principles, and support work in Lithuania related to Belarus. If lawmakers approve, the government will still need to formalise the lease-free use of the space.

Why it matters

For Belarusian exiles and opposition groups, it would create a permanent place in Vilnius to access information on legal and democratic standards. It would also cement the Lithuanian capital as one of the main regional hubs backing Belarus’s democratic forces.

sources:15min.lt

Economy

Long-time company's CEO talks about yet another price increase: long time coming.

A Lithuanian business chief on April 26 warned of another round of price increases, pointing to fresh cost pressure in the market. Recent euro zone data show annual inflation accelerated to 2.5% in March, which is feeding through to pricing across the region. If that momentum reaches retail, households and firms could face new repricing in the coming weeks.

Why it matters

For households, a second price rise in quick succession would erode purchasing power on everyday goods and services. For firms, higher input costs squeeze margins and can force new contracts with suppliers and customers.

sources:delfi.lt

Europe

Summary

Russian drone and missile strikes over the past 48 hours killed at least three people in Ukraine and wounded dozens more in the Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions. Officials said 20 people were injured in Kharkiv region and another eight in Zaporizhzhia, with residential areas and civilian infrastructure hit. Ukrainian air defences said Russia launched 144 drones overnight and that most were shot down or diverted, but the barrage still injured civilians in several regions and damaged energy facilities.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy today accused Russia of nuclear terrorism after fresh strikes on energy sites and infrastructure linked to nuclear safety. The financial cost of the war is becoming clearer in Ukraine’s power sector, where restoration work has doubled in price. In Crimea, at least one person was killed in a suspected Ukrainian drone attack. Ukrainian forces also said they had destroyed three Russian warships and a fighter jet in Crimea.

Russian economists warned that even a rise in oil revenue would not fix the country’s deeper economic weaknesses. Freedom Finance Global analyst Natalya Milchakova said higher oil prices could add 1-3 trillion roubles to this year’s budget, but output is weakening, investment is stalling and borrowing remains costly even after rates were cut to 15%. Last week Vladimir Putin publicly demanded explanations for why some macroeconomic data was missing from both government and central bank forecasts. Russian opposition and war analysts added that the biggest threat to the Kremlin would be an internal coup or a breakdown in the security apparatus after battlefield setbacks and a sharper economic slump.

Late developments centred on the war in Ukraine, with a field commander describing the battle for Bakhmut as a grim siege. Russia also confirmed that Iran’s foreign minister will visit Moscow for talks.

sources: tv3.lt, delfi.lt, lrt.lt, 15min.lt, vz.lt, lrytas.lt

War in Ukraine. A bloody attack in Ukraine: 3 dead, number of injured rising

Russian drone and missile strikes in Ukraine over the past 48 hours killed at least three people and wounded dozens more across several regions, including Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia. Regional officials said 20 people were hurt in Kharkiv region alone, while another eight were wounded in Zaporizhzhia, leaving local hospitals under pressure. The strikes hit residential areas and civilian infrastructure, and authorities are still updating the casualty count after the latest wave of attacks.

Why it matters

Ukrainian civilians remain the main victims when strikes damage homes, cut utilities and flood hospitals with casualties. Repeated attacks force local authorities to keep more evacuation space, blood supplies and repair crews on standby.

sources:tv3.lt

Politics

War in Ukraine: Zelenskiy accuses Russia of nuclear terrorism

Volodymyr Zelenskiy on April 26 accused Russia of nuclear terrorism after fresh strikes on Ukrainian energy sites and infrastructure linked to nuclear safety. LRT had earlier reported his warning that Moscow could be preparing broader mobilisation and new pressure tactics against Ukraine and the region. Kyiv now says the aim is to raise fears over nuclear risk and force a tougher Western response.

Why it matters

Ukraine’s energy grid and nuclear-safety sites are among the biggest civilian risks in the war, because strikes can cut power and raise danger around atomic plants. The accusations also raise pressure on the IAEA and European capitals to judge whether Russia is crossing another red line.

sources:lrt.lt 15min.lt tv3.lt

Politics

Critical threshold for Putin: expert outlines scenarios for possible revolt in Russia

Russian opposition and war analysts quoted by 15min set out the conditions that could trigger unrest against Vladimir Putin in Moscow or other Russian cities. They tied the risk to battlefield setbacks, a sharp economic slump and a split inside the elite over the war's cost and losses. The biggest threat to the Kremlin, they said, would not be an election but an internal coup or a breakdown in the security apparatus.

Why it matters

Any Russian internal crisis would feed straight into the war in Ukraine. An elite split or a security-service rupture could alter mobilization, spending and the pace of military operations.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

Russia launched 144 drones into Ukraine last night

Ukrainian air defences said Russia fired 144 attack drones overnight on April 25-26, 2026, and most were shot down or lost before reaching their targets. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the same strike injured civilians in several regions and hit residential areas and energy infrastructure. The attack came as Russia keeps up near-nightly drone barrages and Kyiv presses for more air-defence systems and ammunition.

Why it matters

For civilians in Ukrainian cities, it means another night of alarms, possible power cuts and damage to apartment blocks and infrastructure. It also keeps pressure on European allies to supply air-defence stockpiles, since Ukraine’s ability to blunt these raids depends on them.

sources:vz.lt

Economy

Putin faces unpleasant surprise: even oil billions won't save Russia's economy

Russian economists and analysts warned on April 24-25 that even a surge in oil revenue would not fix the country's deeper economic problems. Freedom Finance Global analyst Natalya Milchakova said higher oil prices could add 1-3 trillion roubles to the budget this year, but output is weakening, investment is stalling and borrowing costs remain near historic highs even after nine months of rate cuts to 15 per cent. Last week, Vladimir Putin publicly demanded explanations from economic officials for why macro data is missing both government and central bank forecasts.

Why it matters

Extra oil money would mainly ease pressure on the federal budget, but it would not solve the high borrowing costs hitting companies or revive stalled investment. If production keeps sliding, Moscow will have to choose between a wider deficit, higher taxes or deeper spending cuts.

sources:tv3.lt

Sports

Liverpool fan threw ball at an opponent's head after a controversial goal.

On April 26, 2026, during a Premier League match at Liverpool's stadium, a fan threw a ball at an opposing player’s head after a contentious goal. The flashpoint came in a tense game, where the goal altered the scoreline and triggered prolonged protests from both benches. The incident is likely to prompt a disciplinary review and fresh questions over crowd control.

Why it matters

The incident poses a direct safety risk to players and puts pressure on clubs and the league to tighten crowd control. Any disciplinary case could affect ticketing, stadium security rules and match operations going forward.

sources:tv3.lt

World

Summary

Sabastian Sawe ran 1:59:30 at the London Marathon on Saturday, becoming the first man to break two hours in an official marathon. World Athletics called it a road world record, and the Kenyan also retained his London title.

Israel struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Saturday after a fresh rocket attack from southern Lebanon. Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was both retaliation and an effort to stop Hezbollah rebuilding along the northern border. Israeli statements said the ceasefire in place since November 2024 was collapsing because of Hezbollah’s actions. US-Iran diplomacy remains stalled after talks due in Pakistan over the past two days were postponed, while Washington keeps heightened military measures around the Strait of Hormuz. Iran separately released footage showing the seizure of two cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

In Washington, 7-8 shots were fired at an event linked to the White House Correspondents' dinner, and Donald Trump was rushed out of the Washington Hilton. Investigators identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen of California and said he used a shotgun. Trump said he believed the gunman acted alone, while world leaders including the UK king stressed that the US president was safe after the attack. Trump later said the shooting would not deter him from victory in the war with Iran.

In Colombia, 14 people were killed in a highway bombing ahead of elections. A widely shared comment by astrologer Palmira Kelertienė about Uranus shifting into Gemini remains commentary rather than verifiable world news.

NASA could delay a crewed Moon landing by up to three more years. The Israeli military warned residents to evacuate seven villages in southern Lebanon. In Colombia, 14 people were killed in a highway bomb blast ahead of elections.

sources: lrytas.lt, lrt.lt, delfi.lt, 15min.lt, tv3.lt

Netanyahu orders army to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon

On April 26, 2026, Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Israeli military to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon after a new rocket attack from southern Lebanon. Israeli statements framed the operation as a response and as an effort to stop Hezbollah from rebuilding along the northern border. The army then launched strikes on several targets, putting fresh pressure on the fragile ceasefire arrangement reached in November 2024.

Why it matters

For civilians in southern Lebanon, it raises the risk of fresh evacuations and strikes along the border. It also increases pressure on Beirut and the mediators trying to keep the ceasefire intact and prevent the conflict from widening.

sources:lrt.lt

Sports

Sebastian Sawe rewrites history: marathon completed in under two hours

On April 26, 2026, Kenya's Sabastian Sawe ran 1:59:30 at the London Marathon, becoming the first man to break the two-hour barrier in an official marathon. World Athletics called it a world record on the road and said Sawe defended his London title against a stacked elite field. The mark resets the benchmark for major marathon racing and forces rivals to rethink pacing, race selection and preparation.

Why it matters

Elite marathoners now have a new benchmark that can reshape pacing, race selection and season planning. London’s status as one of the fastest courses in the sport is strengthened again, which matters for sponsors, broadcasters and the athletes choosing where to run.

sources:tv3.lt

Politics

War in Iran. Negotiations stuck: hopes for peace fading

A new round of US-Iran talks due in Pakistan on April 24-25 was postponed, and Tehran said it has no plans yet for the next stage of negotiations. After a failed round two weeks earlier, Iran has accused Washington of not being serious about diplomacy, while the US keeps pressing on the nuclear file and wider security terms. American military measures remain heightened around the Strait of Hormuz, raising the stakes for shipping and energy flows if diplomacy stays frozen.

Why it matters

Shipping companies and oil buyers in Europe face the biggest exposure if the talks stay frozen. Any new incident in the Strait of Hormuz can quickly lift insurance, freight and fuel costs.

sources:lrytas.lt

Politics

More shooting details emerge: I think the target was not only Trump

Seven to eight shots rang out at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington on Saturday evening, forcing Donald and Melania Trump, along with senior officials, out of the room. Investigators have identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen of California, and say he used a shotgun. Trump said he believed the gunman acted alone, while authorities are still probing the motive and any prior ties or warning signs.

Why it matters

The episode shows how quickly a high-profile Washington event can turn into a full evacuation and security test. The investigation will shape whether access rules are tightened for political gatherings that bring together the president, ministers and the press.

sources:lrytas.lt

Energy

Palmyra: Uranus shifts position for the long term — awaiting major changes

Astrologer Palmira Kelertienė said on April 26 that Uranus’ move into Gemini marks a long stretch of change, not a short-lived shift. She tied the transit to communication, information flow and changing patterns of thought rather than to a single event. In her reading, the next phase points to visible shifts in how people speak, share and absorb news.

Why it matters

For readers who follow astrology, the reading frames the coming period around information flow, digital tools and public debate. In practice, her forecast will be taken as a guide to the next few months rather than a one-day horoscope.

sources:lrytas.lt

Crime

Trump says a shooter who fired 7–8 rounds has been detained

Gunfire broke out on April 26, 2026, at an event linked to the White House Correspondents' dinner in Washington, and the suspect was detained soon after. LRT said Trump was escorted out of the Washington Hilton after seven to eight shots were fired, with authorities believed to be treating a 31-year-old man as the suspect. Witnesses said the shots were heard near the event area, forcing security teams to evacuate guests and sweep the venue.

Why it matters

The White House Correspondents' dinner brings together senior politicians, journalists and diplomats, so any gunfire incident becomes an immediate security test. It can trigger tighter protection around Trump and a fresh review of screening and perimeter controls at major public events.

sources:lrt.lt